HTC One S wont be updated to Android 4.2.2 or Sense 5, to remain on Android 4.1.2

If you’re living in the states, more there’s a good chance you’ve barely gotten acquainted the buttery new features Android 4.1 Jelly Bean introduced in the last update. It was back in April the T-Mobile HTC One S saw Android 4.1.2 arrive for the device and even more recently, received an additional update to address battery drain caused by Jelly Bean.

If you already had your heart set on your device receiving an over-the-air update to the latest (at the moment) Android firmware — 4.2.2 Jelly Bean — you might wanna sit down. In a quote from an HTC spokesperson, Modaco discovered that sadly, the device will remain on Android 4.1.2 for the remainder of its days.

We can confirm that the HTC One S will not receive further Android OS updates and will remain on the current version of Android and HTC Sense. We realize this news will be met with disappointment by some, but our customers should feel confident that we have designed the HTC One S to be optimized with our amazing camera and audio experiences.

Looking ahead, this doesn’t mean that HTC is completely turning their backs on the device (which was released more than a year ago). We’re more than certain HTC will continue to support the device with minor future stability updates in the future if and whenever bugs are found that degrade the user experience. When it comes to its bigger brother the HTC One X, it looks like that’s still scheduled to receive Sense 5, as well as Android 4.2.2 in the coming months.

In the meantime you can take matters into your own hands and download the stock Android keyboard, Android 4.3 camera app, and gain a handful of the features introduced in 4.2.2. Anyone with a One S terribly upset by the news?

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its a bunch of bullcrap the one x gets the update but not the one s. aside from carrier differences and screen size, the internals are basically the same. 95% of the work is done already with an update for that phone. seriously why not? what’s the technical issue mentioned? anyone know?

jeeze. the only thing keeping me on stock is the camera app. but I’m edging closer and closer to cm10.

No_Nickname90

Basically or exactly? That one small difference could be the reason. Remember how certain processors can only use LTE while others can’t?

I’m just trying to give you ideas on what it could be that’s stopping them.

Cierra Butler

why was this downvoted this makes sense any small changes can make a phone go pbbttsss

Helgaiden

that’s fine and all but if independent developers can take one x code and make it work on a one s, why can’t a team of paid experts?

Jerel Butler

Because stability, a company can’t release a bug filled nightmare for the general public to complain about its bad for them, and almost all aftermarket roms have issues, throw on sense on top and it can be seen as a to high a risk

blue720

It’s about profit. AT&T had the cash flow to bring the higher end device and T-Mobile did not or could not do the same. So, the higher end device gets the update and the lower end device will not.

zifnab

This isn’t even slightly shocking. HTC One = One Update and One year of support. This was a mid-range device anyways, everyone that bought it is lucky they got even the one update. As for the article saying that HTC will continue supporting the phone with bug fixes, dream on. Once HTC announces an end to OS updates it means the phone is written off as never having existed.

At this point its in the users hands to root their phone if they want the latest versions because with few exceptions no one seems to update a phone more than one time lest you get a Nexus.

No_Nickname90

Rooting doesn’t solve everything. I got an HTC for Sense, not stock Android. I don’t want stock Android. Had I wanted that I would have picked up a Nexus 4.

I’ll use stock Android when the device nears its 2 year life. That’s when I stop caring since I’m getting ready to change devices.

Or if I finish paying of my phone on Tmo, I would have already bought a new device anyways. LoL!!

ngo93

Rooting doesn’t mean you have to use stock Android…

rageboardr

ngo93 is right, in fact most ROM’s are not stock android. almost all have their own flare or style added to the pure android experience. rooting just gives you control of extra options, and the ability to do just about whatever you want with your device. there are plenty of sense based roms out there.

No_Nickname90

But they were talking about rooting to get the latest updates. ICS on the G2 was alright. I just used it because I barely used the phone as compared to me now.

The G2 never received ICS. CM kept going on the phone. I was able to use that, but it was buggy. Though the phone came with stock Android anyways, so that wasn’t a very good example.

I hope you can get my point. I’m sorry. LoL!!

WozzaWokky

This is always the problem with HTC. Lovely devices, good support – for a year. They just don’t really care about devices older than a year. Thankfully cyanogenmod exists.

Jody Schoolcraft

This is why we switched away from HTC. Updates seem to be a problem for HTC. At least with Samsung I get a couple of years worth.

No_Nickname90

I don’t get it. So if they update the device at least once within 2 years would you be satisfied? Or would you want all the updates that came out within those 2 years?

Jody Schoolcraft

Let’s put it like this. My wife had an Amaze 4G. TMobile/HTC gave it 1 update. At the same time (same day) I bought the SGS2, The SGS2 was updated recently to 4.1.2 and is due to get 4.2.2 (that will be the last update). The HTC stopped getting squat almost 9 months ago! See the problem here?

DaveTexan

I have the Amaze 4G too. I’m not even getting JB. Since One S is not getting 4.2, there is no hope Amaze will ever get JB. I have not flashed CM10.1 only because I need WiFi-Calling to cover T-Mobile’s poor signal.

How anyone, who cares about
updates, ever buys anything but a Nexus completely boggles my mind.
This will NEVER change… Manufactures will cease to support anything
that’s not their current money maker. It doesn’t matter how new it is,
they will move on. Nexus 4 wasn’t my every desire when I bought it but I
made a calculated decision and couldn’t be happier. I will be updating
to 5.0 when all the Samsung and HTC customers who spent twice as much
on their phone are still waiting and dreaming about 4.3. LOL!

DavidVarghese

I replied this to someone else in the comments section, but I think it also applies here.

If you look in HTC’s past in terms of updates, overall, it’s been crap. However, lets look at a more recent trend from HTC. Prior to owning the H1, I had the Evo LTE. From ICS, it has been quickly updated to 4.1.1 within months. After that, it has received numerous software updates to fix bugs and such. I assume the case is true for the One X.

Since you’re doubtful in HTC’s update schedule of its flagship phones, here’s a confirmed list of phones to be updated to 4.2.2, and notice how the HTC One S was never part of that list to begin with.

Is it sad on HTC’s end to not include the One S into the 4.2 update pack? Yes it is, and I don’t see much of a reason not to update the One S other a screen size/quality change and a smaller battery than the One X. I’m sure the folks over at XDA will have something to say to that…

But when it comes down to it, sure, HTC hasn’t been good with updates in the past, but they are getting better. To me, that’s all that matters.

Frank Lin

I agree with you, but the problem is HTC DID confirm to some news sources that the One S would be on the list of devices that would get Sense 5 and Android 4.2. It could have been an error but they did not fix it and the word just spread around. LlabTooFer already received the bad news earlier last month saying there were “technical issues”, but nothing more specific than that. The statement HTC made just sounds like a bad put-down. When they cancelled the Desire HD ICS update, they at least tried to make a reasonable explanation about the fragmented files.

People are complaining to the HTC employees not developers and that is not going to help. They are not allowed to comment about the reasons behind it.

I don’t pick sides to this issue. Well the Blinkfeed haters can now be happy that at least one of the phones won’t get Blinkfeed. I have the One X+ and I too was at first uneasy about the idea of getting Blinkfeed on my phone. Or maybe it’s the fact that the One Mini’s launch is imminent.

On another note look at how Apple intentionally ditched Siri for iOS 6 on the iPad 2 when it was clearly possible. For iOS 7 they changed their minds about it and will give the iPad 2 Siri.

Let’s hope HTC will at least do a trade-in campaign with the One Mini for the One S, but that’s asking for too much…

ArmageddonX

This is the same thing HTC did to the HTC Evo3D, Sensation, Rezound, and Thunderbolt. They market these devices as “flagship phones” & then abandon them. I thought the big “HTC One” rebranding might change their policy of dropping support if the device didn’t sell outrageously well. Guess I was wrong. I will not be buying an HTC device of any kind for the foreseeable future.

CerealFTW

sensation user here, its ridiculous how they can update to 4.0.3 with sense 3.6 when some (amazing) devs on xda managed to easily port sense 4 from the HTC one s rom. the devices are so similar spec wise that they should be able to give it sense 4. HTC is going out of their way to keep your phone out of date just to get you to buy their new products. smh nexus or bust

Nick Thai

And I can confirm that no HTC gonna touch my pocket in the future.

Jay

Given HTC’s track record, this really doesn’t surprise me.

Robb Nice

And this why HTC don’t get it, why people don’t commit to them or their products! The only 2 reliable android companies will be Samsung and Motorolla (Google). The only way to get a HTC update is to buy a new HTC!

yankeesrule587

Will never buy a Motorola phone, especially with the gay name “Moto X” HTC has never let me down, im sticking with them.

scoter man1

First HTC one device to like up to the “one” update.

domatau

to be exact it’s 4.1.1 not 4.1.2

bob

How anyone, who cares about updates, ever buys anything but a Nexus completely boggles my mind. This will NEVER change… Manufactures will cease to support anything that’s not their current money maker. It doesn’t matter how new it is, they will move on. Nexus 4 wasn’t my every desire when I bought it but I made a calculated decision and couldn’t be happier. I will be updating to 5.0 when all the Samsung and HTC customers who spent twice as much on their phone are still waiting and dreaming about 4.3. LOL!

yankeesrule587

Even with your Nexus 4, it will eventually reach the end of the line with updates. Check with Nexus One users on that one. Unless of course youre talking about ROMS, which dont count as updates.

Bascule

I have the HTC One S and I’ve now learned my lesson. I knew it wouldn’t keep pace with a Nexus but I expected better than this. It’s a Nexus device for me next time!

Deveal2014

It’s a midrange phone… I don’t understand the issue? The phone barely handled the first update well. It just got two updates this year alone & now yall want another. It the phone can’t handle it then it can’t handle. At least Htc released a statement

http://dylricho.com/ Dylan

A “mid-range” phone that handles like a high-end device. 6,700 in Quadrant, 12,000 in AnTuTu, 300 Mflops in Linpack multi-threaded… The hardware was ahead of its time when it was launched. Also, check out the custom ROM on YouTube with Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5.0 – it handles just as well as it does now. HTC has no f**king excuse.

rakh hkar

You don’t own the phone right? :)

Caffiend

I would have been upset about something like this years ago, but given what we now know about a phone’s life cycle, especially when it comes to Android, there’s no reason whatsoever people should be shocked or upset. Simply put, at this point there’s basically 3 trains of thought. A phone where you’ll get timely frequent updates, a phone with superior build quality, or a feature phone. You want your software to legitimize your phone for more than a year or so, get a Nexus. You want your phone to physically last you for 2 or more years, get an HTC, you want the latest and greatest UI/User features, get a Samsung. All carriers and manufacturers want is for you to buy their latest and greatest devices. Why on earth would they create something that you wouldn’t need to replace sooner than later? In the end it’s all about the money.

For the best value, you won’t ever go wrong with Google, and presumably Motorola -OFF CONTRACT mind you- as they’re not in it for the money. Sure, the device will never set benchmark standards, but it’ll be taking advantage of pure innovation for years to come. That’s worth a lot more than a $600-$700 piece that you’ll be wanting to upgrade in 12 months.

Deveal2014

Also I feel if you care about updates you always should go Nexus. Everyone in the android world knows this. If you want features you buy Htc, Samsung, Sony, etc etc. These phones unless their Nexus or GE products will always be 1, maybe 2 OS updates behind. THIS is the Nexus selling point.. Updates from Google. Nexus phones don’t usually have features and need these updates for its appeal. Features phones like the Htc one s, htc one, galaxy s4, galaxy note 2, etc etc will still have the features /selling points available to you regardless of what os your running, because that’s why you bought it in the first place. For the design, amazing camera , hover features, spen, scribe pen, ultra pixel, boom sound, life campion etc etc. You bought it for what it does now & not a promise of what an update could bring.

Joshua Simpson

Screw HTC. Still rocking the Desire HD and practically only had headaches from it. Yes, I’d change it, but I don’t have the money. Thought it’s going to be a good long-term investment for $637 when I bought it. Wrong.

InspectorGadget80

Another reason not TOO BUY HTC PHONES they never support their older phones

DavidVarghese

A reason perhaps not to buy the lower-end HTC phones

troyintn

The phone in question in this article is not “low end”, nor was the Evo 3d, Sensation, Rezound, or the Thunderbolt (all flagships, btw) in their time…..even though they received the virtually the same treatment from HTC (only one OS update). For example, the Samsung S2 was released a couple months after the Evo 3d. The Evo’s last (and only) major update was ICS, yet the S2 has had 2 major OS updates and a third update to JB 4.2.2 is incoming. Hummm, do you really not see a pattern here?

If you look in HTC’s past in terms of updates, overall, it’s been crap. However, since you’re fond of trends, lets look at a more recent trend fromm HTC. Prior to owning the H1, I had the Evo LTE. From ICS, it has been quickly updated to 4.1.1 within months. After that, it has received numerous software updates to fix bugs and such. I assume the case is true for the One X.

Is it sad on HTC’s end to not include the One S into the 4.2 update pack? Yes it is.
But when it comes down to it, sure, HTC hasn’t been good with updates in the past, but they are getting better. To me, that’s all that matters.

http://dylricho.com/ Dylan

Bullshit. In that article the One S gains better benchmarking results. And in my tests, it’s even better. 6,700 in Quadrant, 12,000 in AnTuTu and over 300 Mflops with Linpack multi-threaded. All with stock hardware, OS and UI.

DavidVarghese

Maybe because it has the same processor, but a smaller and lower quality screen than the One X? Use some logic please

http://dylricho.com/ Dylan

Yes, I know that and it’s true. However, the fact of the matter is that the phone handles up to the same standards IN ITS OWN ENVIRONMENT, and that’s how it would run the OS/UI; not at another phone’s resolution. Also, if you take note at some benchmark results from your own sources, you’ll see that it can easily match the other devices when running stress tests at 720p. So, don’t give me that bullshit either. The phone is perfectly capable. HTC is just being a commercial douche.

DavidVarghese

I never said HTC was in the right denying the One S 4.2 w/ Sense 5. I do believe that the One S could run 4.2 w/ Sense 5 without a doubt. I was talking about the updates that HTC was bringing out for (most of) their devices recently. I also was responding to your claim (which is true) that the One S performs on point/better than the One X, because of its screen. No bullshit here, and I am disappointed that the One S won’t be receiving the update. I’m sure the folks at XDA will have it running with the latest updates in no time.

http://dylricho.com/ Dylan

Past HTC devices, I couldn’t care for, even though you are correct. They were due an update, and they didn’t get it. With HTC’s recent promises to keep its phones within an 18-month update lifespan (minimum), AND the promise earlier in February to One S users, I was expecting a relatively new device like this would continue to receive updates. Here is where the line must be drawn. That’s why my petition has gained 620 supporters in less than 15 hours.

All One S users need to gather together to get HTC’s priorities in the correct place. Apparently it isn’t receiving the updates because it hasn’t sold well? The company only has itself to blame. SEVEN model variants, high pricing, poor carrier choice and poor advertising. And it wants to blame the paying customers for its stupid decisions?

DavidVarghese

Link to your petition? The One S should get the update for sure.

You’re right that the One S didn’t sell well… Only because of the stupid carrier exclusivity thing and b/c of the S3 (which is better than the One S).

I’m not too keen on Samsung phones and its UI. Although saying the One S didn’t sell too well, the customers that do have it are certainly fond of it, and HTC shouldn’t ditch it just because of their problems.

Yes, actually – pretty miffed. The HTC One S is not old nor under-powered. Nor was it a budget buy. I had assumed it would keep pace with the One X. It’s not the end of the world but it’s enough for me to rule out looking at HTC when I come to buy my next phone.

rakh hkar

indeed – the reason I bought htc one s, because it has smaller screen with almost same performance as htc one x… it was not a cheap phone or low spec. I have been expecting support atleast for 2 years…

rakh hkar

I bought my htc one s last year. It is a middle range phone with nice spec. But I can’t even update to 4.2 ?.. well done htc.. I won’t buy another htc, honestly. Lack of updates. Btw Jelly Bean 4.2, which was released on commercial devices in November 2012.

Mark

Over the last few years HTC have been very poor at updates and releasing schedules. Now there not going to keep their 2012 lineup up undated. Perhaps the time has come to jump the fence into samsungs garden. Galaxy s4 order going in today.

Archis

This is weird… currently I have SENSE 5 and android 4.1.2 on my ONE S …its a rom called Trickdroid link:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2298253. It really nice and everything works, except bluetooth, i think. If XDA can do it why cant HTC??? maybe XDA are better than HTC

http://dylricho.com/ Dylan

Apparently the S3 version of the One S (Asian markets) had performance troubles with the updates, and because of this, HTC decided to ditch all versions of the phone (including the S4 Plus version which is clearly capable). I wish they’d just release the updates for the S4 version, but that’s a slim chance. :/

IamGeorgeZimmerman

Oh C’mon people, Getting shafted is part of the deal when you buy an HTC product. I’d say it serves you right and you should have known better but I imagine some of you are 1st time HTC customers and didn’t do your research about their reputation.
Instead of signing a petition, that we all know means absolutely NOTHING just root and rom.

If those petitions on change.org had any pull every state would have left the union and Obama would by law have to sit in a dunk tank in every state fair.

Root and Rom!!! The real R&R.

http://dylricho.com/ Dylan

And if you did any reading on the petition, you’d realize that we’ve got HTC’s attention and they’re reconsidering the One S. It’s because of the crappy S3 version that S4 users are ditched. The petition also worked for the Desire HD, and it’s not like the One S is considered underpowered. Unlike the Desire HD, it has a far better chance of running newer versions of Android/Sense.